Student Participation in Science Fair

King Springs is developing a STEM culture among our faculty and students. Through professional learning opportunities, we are exposing our teachers to the possibilities we can and should be giving our students if they are to be prepared for the best opportunities in the future.

            For the past 3 years, our students, on a strictly optional basis, have produce between 110 and 120 projects each year. Our STEM cohort has developed a science fair rollout to support the STEM culture we are developing.

            This year, all kindergarten, 1^st and 2^nd grade classes will develop a class science project, thoroughly acquainting students with the Scientific Method. Each class will submit their project for display on STEM night in January 2017.

            This year, students in grades 3-5 will receive extra credit for submitting a science fair project two days before the STEM night. Their projects will be judged and the top two projects in each grade will be sent to the district Science Fair in February, 2017.

            Next school year, 2017-2018, 3^rd grade students will receive a grade for their science fair projects (students may work in small groups) while it will remain extra credit for grades 4 and 5. In the 2018-2019 school year 3^rd and 4^th grade students will receive a grade, while it remains extra credit for 5^th.

This chart shows the projected increase in participation:

School Year	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018	2018-2019
Participants	Optional to all	K-2 mandatory 3-5 extra credit	K-3 mandatory 4 & 5 extra credit	K-4 mandatory 5 extra credit
% Participation	13%	57%	70%	84%

These numbers are based on current enrollment per grade level and a conservative estimate of the projected optional performance for the upper grades.

To facilitate greater participation, extra workshops will be hosted after school and help will be offered in the media center during recess times. Resources will be supplied through the STEM resource room through a generous donation from the KSE Foundation/PTA.

We believe this rolling approach will give our students a strong background in the early grades and prepare them for success in the upper grades. We are unwilling to require participation for the sake of appearances without ensuring students will have what they need to produce meaningful and quality work.